As global momentum builds to accelerate climate action ahead of the next United Nations climate conference, two promising young professionals from the Caribbean have earned a coveted spot in a prestigious regional climate leadership initiative designed to nurture the next generation of climate advocates. Christianna Paul, a rising specialist from Dominica, and Tristan Ward of Barbados, were selected from hundreds of applicants across the Caribbean to join the fellowship programme organized by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).
Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), this unique opportunity will grant Paul and Ward unprecedented access to join the CCCCC’s official delegation at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to convene in Antalya, Türkiye from 9 to 20 November 2026. The selection process followed a open regional call for applications held between 10 and 21 August 2026, which was open to all CARICOM nationals between the ages of 18 and 30. According to CCCCC officials, the call drew overwhelming interest from young working professionals across the bloc, highlighting the growing appetite among Caribbean youth to engage with climate action.
The core mission of the leadership programme extends far beyond just attendance at the global conference. Through a structured combination of targeted professional training, one-on-one mentorship from experienced climate experts, cross-regional collaborative projects, and hands-on practical exposure to international climate governance, the initiative aims to give participants a nuanced, on-the-ground understanding of how climate change impacts the Caribbean, and how regional priorities can be advanced on the global stage. It also prioritizes building core skills: strengthening participants’ ability to communicate climate challenges to diverse audiences, advocate for evidence-based, impactful climate policy, and step into leadership roles driving local and regional sustainable development.
Dr. Mark Bynoe, CCCCC’s Director of Business Strategy and Regional Coordination, commended the exceptionally high calibre of all candidates who submitted applications for the fellowship. He noted that the strong response to the call reflects a rapidly growing community of young Caribbean people ready to confront the climate challenges that will define the region’s future for decades to come.
“Our goal with this fellowship is to give these emerging leaders a front-row seat to how global climate negotiations work, so they can bring that knowledge home to their communities,” Bynoe explained. The CCCCC expects Paul and Ward to share the key takeaways from their COP31 experience with peers, local organizations and youth groups across the Caribbean, embedding their new skills into ongoing climate action at every level.
Beyond the conference itself, the fellowship will also create lasting professional value for the two participants. They will have the chance to connect directly with leading climate scientists, senior government negotiators, and other key stakeholders from across the global climate ecosystem, building professional networks that will support their work to advance climate resilience and sustainable development in the Caribbean for years to come.